As we all know from either reading any newspaper in Utah (including the Daily Universe) or just hear-say, the LDS Church has come out with an official statement regarding rights for homosexuals to have housing and employment. This statement was given by Public Affairs managing director for the LDS church, Michael Otterson during a public hearing regarding Salt Lake City’s developing non-discrimination ordinance.

Otterson said,

“The Church supports this ordinance because it is fair and reasonable and does not do violence to the institution of marriage. It is also entirely consistent with the Church’s prior position on these matters. The Church remains unequivocally committed to defending the bedrock foundation of marriage between a man and a woman.”

I’m not sure whether Mr. Otterson wrote the statement himself based on what the brethren told him or whether they gave it to him to read (probably the former) but I think it was well said.

What do we need in this life? According to Elder L. Tom Perry in a talk in General Conference last year, we have four basic necessities: food, clothing, shelter and fuel.

Shelter applies directly to the non-discrimination ordinance. No matter who you are or what you believe in you have the right to live somewhere and should be able to do so without being questioned. Some people may feel uncomfortable with gay couples living in their neighborhood, but hey, maybe they don’t like having closed-minded conservatives for neighbors either. People are people and deserve to live wherever they want as long as it’s within their means. That’s something I hope we can all agree on.

As for the other basic needs (food, clothes and fuel) those all require something in our society: money. Money makes the world go ’round, and the best way to get it is by having a job. Everyone should be allowed the chance to apply and be considered for a job position despite any stereotype regarding race, ethnicity, age, sex, and sexual orientation. That’s that, for me. People need money to survive and shouldn’t be declined just because they’re “different.”

We’re all different, and we’re all God’s children. The worth of our souls is great to Him, no matter who we are. We’re all sinners and He loves us anyway. Haven’t we figured that out yet?